Teardrop Garden in memory of Winslow’s children

Rector of Winslow Belinda Searle-Barnes at the church's new teardrop-shaped Memorial Garden.'The garden, which is being opened in 3 weeks' time, is for people who have lost children under the age of 30

Published:15:58Tuesday 03 September 2013

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A new memorial garden to remember Winslow residents who have died young is due to open in afortnight’s time.

The garden has been created by volunteers from church and town over the last year in the shape of a teardrop, in an area of the old churchyard surrounding St Laurence Church.

Rector of Winslow Belinda Searle-Barnes at the church's new teardrop-shaped Memorial Garden.'The garden, which is being opened in 3 weeks' time, is for people who have lost children under the age of 30

It will be dedicated to the memory of the young people of Winslow who died before their 30th birthday and are buried in the churchyard or the Furze Lane Burial Ground.

While the garden is not yet fully matured and is still in the process of developing, already the shape of a teardrop has been formed using a border of the herb marjoram.

In addition, a small copse of rowan and silver birch trees has been planted, together with bulbs, at either end of the teardrop.

In the autumn, further perennial plants and bulbs will be planted ready for next spring.

Rector of Winslow, Belinda Searle-Barnes, said: “Sadly, many parents have the very painful experience of their beloved child or young adult dying.

“The Teardrop Memorial Garden has been created to be a place of peace and tranquility so that parents so affected and those who remember a child who has died young may have somewhere tangible to go to cherish fond memories.”

To accompany the Teardrop Memorial Garden, a beautiful leather-bound Teardrop Memorial Book has been commissioned.

In it, a calligrapher will enter the names of all the babies, children and young adults who have passed away, including those delivered stillborn, that are heldin the St Laurence Church records and the records of the Furze Lane Burial Ground.

The book will have a section designated for every letter of the alphabet and names will be entered according to the first letter of the surname of the young person.

The Memorial Book will be kept in the Peace Chapel in St Laurence Church, where anyone who wishes to see it can go and visit.

The Teardrop Memorial Garden will be opened and dedicated by the Bishop of Buckingham, Alan Wilson on Saturday, September 21.

A very short service will be held at 3pm in St Laurence Church, followed by the blessing of the garden and then afternoon tea in the St Laurence Room. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Rev Searle-Barnes said the church has tried to contact all the relatives of children and young people who are buried in the churchyard or burial ground and she hopes they have managed to get in touch with everyone.

But she urged any parents or relatives who have not been contacted to contact her as soon as possible.